As the highly anticipated Asia Cup clash between India and Pakistan approaches, former India captain Kapil Dev has urged the Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, to remain focused on their game amidst growing calls for a boycott. The match, scheduled for Sunday, September 14th, has stirred debate, especially in light of the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
Kapil Dev emphasized that the players' primary responsibility is to play and win, and they should not be distracted by external factors. He stated that policy decisions are the government's domain, and the team should concentrate on their performance on the field. "Just go and win," he advised. "Those whose job is to play should just focus on playing - there's no need to say anything else. Don't make this a big issue. The government will do its job, and the players should do theirs".
Calls for boycotting the India-Pakistan match have gained traction, with some groups opposing the idea of playing Pakistan, citing anger over the Pahalgam terror attack. Four law students even filed a petition to scrap the match, though it was rejected. Tensions had also surfaced last month when India skipped veterans' matches against Pakistan.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has maintained that it is following the central government's policy, which permits participation in multinational tournaments but restricts bilateral series with Pakistan. India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13 due to political tensions and security concerns. They only compete in ICC and Asian tournaments.
Despite the charged atmosphere, India captain Suryakumar Yadav has expressed the team's excitement about facing Pakistan. Pakistan skipper Salman Agha also affirmed that his team would play with their natural flair.
Kapil Dev's message to the Indian team is clear: Tune out the noise, avoid distractions, and concentrate on the task at hand. He acknowledged that the team is strong and capable of securing victory. He also praised the team's dominant nine-wicket victory over the UAE in their opening match, expressing hope that they will bring the trophy home. Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube were instrumental in dismantling the UAE batting lineup. Shubman Gill's quickfire innings ensured a swift chase.
While some former cricketers and pundits have voiced their disapproval of the match, the BCCI has issued an official statement affirming their commitment to following the government's policy. The policy allows India to compete against Pakistan in multinational tournaments.
Even with the anticipation surrounding the match, tickets remain available, a surprising turn of events compared to previous encounters. The slow ticket sales may reflect public sentiment in India following the Pahalgam terror attack.
